In a signed order from a local primary school, which is the legal requirement for a supply to be made against this type of signed order?

• A. The order must be countersigned by the school nurse
• B. The order must be signed by the headteacher of the school
• C. The order must be on school letterhead
• D. The order must be signed by the teacher who signed it

Answer: (B)

The key idea is who has official authority to approve a school’s request to supply medicines. In a primary school, that authority rests with the headteacher, so the order must be signed by the headteacher to be legally valid. This provides clear accountability that the school accepts responsibility for the medicine given to pupils. A countersignature by a school nurse isn’t a statutory requirement, and many schools don’t have a nurse. Requiring the order to be on school letterhead isn’t a legal mandate, though it aids identification. A teacher who signs the form typically lacks the formal signatory power to commit the school to a medical supply.